I love Purple!

Happy Friday my friends,

When I saw this weeks challenge at CASology I knew I had to enter. Purple is my favourite colour and I don't think I have used it for a while in my card making. I have actually made 2 cards for this challenge but will show you the next one on Sunday. They both use purple in a different way.

This card I have used purple as the main colour. I love purple and silver together so decided to do some embossing. This was going to be a one layer card but once I started creating I decided I wanted some dimension and I am happy with how it turned out. The sentiment is also heat embossed.

After making this I remembered how much I loved purple and made another card but with a lot less purple-come back on Sunday to see that one!

I will also enter this into the following challenges:

Dream it UP-CAS

Inky Impressions-monochromatic

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday-purple

Happy Stamping x

Time Out Sneak Peek 4 and DT Call and a card!

Happy Friday Eve,

Today is a big day at Time Out Challenges as Shery has a fab card for you as we introduce our 4th Sneak Peek. Plus it is time for our DT call. Check the details here.

Today I have a card I made for a family member who has been having a hard time and I just wanted to let them know that I was thinking of them. And this what I created:

I knew I wanted to use these light bulb stamps from Lawn Fawn but was unsure what layout to use until I saw the sketch at Less is More. My card is a very skimmed upside down version of the sketch but my layout is based on it with the sentiment taking the place of the strip. I did start off with just the one bulb but felt that the other 2 were just needed! I love how this came out and as it is travelling across the Atlantic the one layer is perfect for mailing.

Before you go head on over to Time Out Challenges for all the latest news and our DT Call

I will also enter this into the following challenges:

Creative Card Challenges-less is more

Tuesday Throwdown-one layer

Enjoy your day x

Addicted to Stamps and More #80

Its time for our photo inspiration challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. This week we have this yummy photo for you:

We are very pleased that Karen is joining us again this week as our GDT, check out her amazing creations here

I had so many ideas inspired by this photo but struggled to translate my ideas into a card. Eventually I decided to just go with the obvious hearts and love theme. A few new sets of stamps also helped to get mojo moving! And here is what I came up with:

I actually had this die cut heart lying on my craft table as I had used glossy accents on it last week and left it to dry but didn't do anything with it! I liked the 'texture' challenge at The Card Concept Challenge, the colours in the photo and the idea of different textures drew my eye to my glossy heart! My card is the Clean and Layered style. I have used linen card stock to give me more texture and based the layout on the sketch this week at CAS(E) this Sketch. The small hearts are from Avery Elle Stamps and my sentiment is from STAMPlorations

If you pop over to Addicted to Stamps and More you will see some very inspiring projects from the DT. Deedee's digis are sponsoring us this week and offering our winner 3 sets digi images.

I will also enter my card into the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge-love story

Everybody-Art-Challenge-Heart

Now it is your turn to show us what this photo inspires you to create......have fun!

               

Time for Time Out's 3rd Sneak Peek!

Happy Monday my friends,

It time for our 3rd sneak peek at Time Out Challenges. Want to know what we have in store for you??? Well all you have to do is click here and Nonni will tell you all about it!!

Before I go I have a card for you. This card is a little bit different for me and I have to say I am not too sure I like it! But I tried a few things I don't do very often and decided to share it with you!

I based the layout on the sketch at STAMPlorations. It is hard to see in the photo but I have scored the card under the jars. IRL this shows nicely but I couldn't get a good photo of it-sorry! Here I have paper pieced, masked, fussy cut and coloured...goodness, did Sandie really do this!! I guess it is kinda cute and is growing on me.

The jar stamps and hearts on a stick are from Fresh Squeezed Stamps

News Flash for all my British crafting chuns........have you seen Make The Day Special online store has re-opened?? Check it out, you can get a lot of US stamps here for UK postage-naturally I have already ordered!

STOP.......don't forget to leave me and go straight to Time Out Challenges to see sneak preview 3!!

Time to take Time Out and sneak a peek 2!

Hello crafting friends,

It is time to for you to take a sneak peek at our second challenge at Time Out Challenges. Today the fabulous crafter Lynn has a card to inspire you! I know you want to take a peek at Lynn's card and find out all about our next type of challenge. And to do that you just need to click here and take just a little Time Out!!

I also have a couple of cards for you today. The first one was inspired by the sketch at Crazy for CAS. I saw this sketch and knew exactly what stamp would be perfect for it! I think this grunge stamp set from STAMPlorations is becoming one of my favourite. I decided to make this into a Valentines/love card by adding some kissable lips...thanks to glossy accents and Fresh Squeezed Stamps!

I am also going to enter this into the following challenges:
Dynamic Duos-pink and pool party. I don't have a baby pink colour so I am hoping this will be o.k
CAS on Sunday-lovey dovey (such a cool name!)

I don't usually post 2 cards in one day but I realised that the deadline for CAS(E) this Sketch is this morning. I liked this weeks sketch but hadn't really thought of an idea until I saw the really fab code word at CASology this week-Contrast-the DT have made 2 cards one that contrasts the other. I thought this was a unique idea and really got my mojo in gear. I decided to follow their lead and looked through my cards on Flickr for a non CAS card (I had to go back a long way!) and then did a CAS version of it.
Here is the CAS version using STAMPlorations stamps:

The original was posted in Dec 2011 and here it is, same colour scheme but definitely not CAS! Plus this time my dancers are not digi images but heat embossed to give texture. This was such a fun challenge, I may have to do another 'contrast' card!

And before you leave, don't forget to see what the lovely Lynn has created for our sneak peek at Time Out Challenges

Sketch from Crazy for CAS         Sketch for CAS(E) this Sketch


                           

Addicted to Stamps and More #79

It is time for our CAS challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. This means we want to see paper crafting projects that are Clean and Simple. This week we are joined by the very creative Karen who you will also see on our Wall of Fame. Check out Karen's blog here, I am sure you will like what you see!

And here is my CAS card:

I was unsure of what to do for this challenge and thought I would have a browse through some challenges and then came across this photo at Inspired By

The red heart against the white gave me an idea and off I went to create! I heat embossed the text and heart stamp then fussy cut a red heart out and stuck it in the centre of the embossed text. Then die cut another heart and raised this on foam pads. A few different embellishments and curved edges to finish off!

We are sponsored this week by Deedee digis, check out their fab store here

Our DT have, as always, made some wonderfully creative CAS projects so before you go please pop to Addicted to Stamps and More to see these!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:
KIS-text
Curtain Call-love letter
Inspired By-see photo above

Happy Stamping x

Addicted to CAS #30

Here at Addicted to CAS we were so happy to see so many fabulous entries to our 'die cut' challenge and thank you all for supporting us. This week, the super talented Shana is our hostess and she has chosen the following code word:

What a great code word for this time of year. You can interpret this in so many ways and if you pop over to our blog here you will see how our DT have done exactly this!

At first I went with new home, new baby etc but it just wasn't working for me. Eventually I created this card:

This card is for a friend who has been through a rough time. My card is meant to represent a 'new beginning' for her. The storm has passed and now it is time to see the rainbows and begin again!

All the colours of the rainbow are shown......I still have to look them up! A few gems and a sequin just seemed to finish off the card as I wanted.

And this month we have Nancy joining us as our GDT. You can check out Nancy's wonderful cards here

Deedee digis are our sponsors and you could win 3 of their fabulous digi set.

Have a fun stamping x

Inkspirational #48

Its the weekend and that means it is time for our photo challenge at Inkspirational. This week we have this amazing photo:

If you want to find out more details about this photo please pop over to our blog here, where you will also find inspiration from the rest of the DT.

When I saw this photo I knew immediately I wanted to use feathers in my card. I also thought I would use bright colours but I needed a thank you card for my Aunt and Uncle who love the cards I make using Autumn colours. With this in mind I came up with this:

Yes, that is a ribbon and bow you see!!  The stamps are all from Stamplorations. I am going to enter this into the 'Stamps and Feathers' challenge at Stamplorations

Now it is your turn, what does this photo inspire you to create??

Exciting News!

Finally the day is here to let you know that my very dear blogging friend Nonni and I have set up our own new challenge blog! Yes, my friends, you heard right!

I would like to introduce you to:

Time Out Challenges

Over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to our challenge and hoping that you like what you see!

We currently have a small DT. The team so far consists of Nonni and myself plus 2 very creative ladies:

Lynn-her blog is The Mango Boys and Me

Shery-her blog is One Layer Cards

Want to know more about Time Out Challenges?? Answers can been found on our challenge blog here. Take a look and become a follower and/or subscribe, so you don't miss out on our sneak peeks and our DT call.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Before I go I have a couple of cards to share with you. Both cards are for the 'OLC with hearts' challenge at Less is More.
This first card I made using the colours this week at Colourq. I have used copics and added texture using my linen embossing plate. I am aslo entering this into the 'mixed messages' challenge at Twisted Tuesday (I have used PTI linen embossing plate, Fresh Squeezed Stamp arrows and Paper Smooches sentiment, the heart stamp was given to me and I don't know where it is from!).

I wasn't sure I liked the arrows so thought I would do another version of this card. This time I went more CAS. I also did more blending with my copics on the hearts and changed the placement of the sentiment. 

To tell the truth I am not sure about either of these. I think I need to step away and leave on my craft desk to view for a few more days to decide which one I like best.......which one do like best??

Both of these card are going to be entered into the one layer-fill up the stash cards at One Layer Simplicity Challenge-this is for my any occasion stash for hubby.

And don't forget to sign up to Time Out Challenges so you don't miss any of the fun!

Addicted to Stamps and More #78

Its time for our 'Holiday' challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. This can be any holiday you want or could be a holiday memory, a holiday destination.....anything holiday related! This week Gemma is joining us again as our Guest Designer. Please check our her blog here, I am sure you will love what you see!

Today I am posting my last Christmas card. Late I know, but I didn't get around to posting it before Christmas so this challenge gave me the ideal opportunity! Yes, it is London themed and was for my hubby. He didn't think it was CAS enough for him, so he did get another one as well. But I do really like this one and wanted to share it with you!

This week Deedee Digis are our sponsor and you could win 3 digis sets!

Now it is your turn to join in the fun but before you do please check out the fab inspiration from our DT here.

Sketch time!

A very happy Monday my blogging friends,

Today I have a card based on the sketch at Stamplorations. I am very honoured to be joining the DT at Stamplorations in March but today I am just joining in the challenge for fun!

I stamped this flower stamp first in London Fog memento ink and the heat embossed it in black. The background is a mix of DI. The sentiment is from Freshly Squeezed Stamps. I was over the moon to see that one of my cards was showcased here at FSS!

Here is the sketch from Stamplorations, you still have until 11.55pm PST Friday to join in the fun!

Have a CAS-ual Friday!

We made it to Friday!

I was a little shocked when I started to write this post as I realised it was my third card in a row that mainly used colouring! You will know that colouring is not my favourite card making technique but I do keep trying and this week I had a lot of fun playing with my copics.

When I was making my bubble bath card yesterday I came across the gardening stamp I used for today's card. This year another one my my resolutions is to grow more vegetables and flowers on my terrace and this card is to represent this but with a focus on the word 'Friend'. That is my word for the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays. This year will be a special year as card blogging friends will become friends IRL! Kylie who I met through our wonderful community is coming to stay with me in London, all the way from Australia! We going to meet up with a number of other crafty friends, none of us have met IRL! Plus my blogging friend Nonni and I are talking of meeting up either here or in Finland! So 2014 the word is 'Friends'!

Isn't the crafting community such a wonderful place to meet new friends and build relationships across the world??
I am also entering this into the 'CAS' challenge at Copic Marker Europe

Have a fun day xx

Double Bubble!

Hello my Friends,

Today I have another card to share for the 'bubble' challenge at CASology. I really loved Gillian's take on the cue word and was inspired to dig out my 'bubble bath' stamp that was given to me when I first started stamping. I have only used it once, so it needed a good dust off! This stamp is quite cool for this challenge as it actually combines both Gillian's and Ardyth's take on the cue word-hence my double bubble!

I challenged myself to make this one layer. I used copics and promarkers to colour and just added these enamel dots for more bubble!

I didn't stamp the inside so I could use this card for various reasons and therefore I am entering this as my second card for 're-stocking the shelves' challenge at One Layer Simplicity.

Now I think I am going to run myself a bubble bath......naturally!

Addicted to Stamps and More #77

We have all had our little break at Addicted to Stamps and More and are now back for our first challenge of 2014. This week it is our 'Make you Mark' week. That means you need to use some kind of marker. I have used copics to colour an image from our sponsor Deedee's digis (3 sets of digis to be won!). And this week we are very pleased to be welcoming Gemma as our Guest Designer. Gemma featured on our very first Wall of Fame. Check out her blog here and you will see why we are so happy that she is joining us this week and next!

I am still learning how to blend copics and used this card from Nonni as a guide to help me colour the kitty.

Here is a close up of the colouring. I think it worked out not so bad and it is such a cute little image.

Before you get out those marker please take a visit to out blog here and see what the DT have created this week to inspire you.

And welcome, again, to our first challenge of 2014!

I am also go into the 'Bubbly' challenge at CASology where I loved Ardyth's take on the cue word.

Addicted to CAS #29

Happy New Year to all Addicted to CAS lovers!
This month we are so pleased we have Nancy joining us as our Guest Designer!

We are here with our first challenge of 2014. This week our hostess is the very talented Loll. Loll this week has chosen 'die cuts' as our inspiration.

I was very tempted to go with a London City scene but thought perhaps you had seen too many of them from me! London will be back but for this week I went all French on you and created this:

For the background I used a Stamplorations mixed media stamp, randomly stamping it and masking it to give this faded look. I then stamped the Eiffel tower in 2 different purple inks and added my die cut Eiffel Tower with foam pads to give dimension. I was pleased with the way this turned out. It has actually already been posted as a thank you for a very gorgeous Christmas gift.

This week we are very pleased to have Deedee's digis as our sponsor who are offering our winner 3 sets of digital stamps. 

Before you get die cutting, check out the fabulous projects from our DT here and then join in the fun.

Great to have you all back xx

I will also enter this into

Keep it Simple-Anything Goes

Inkspirational #47

The first Saturday of the New Year and that must mean it is time for a new challenge at Inkspirational plus we are very excited as here at Inkspirational we are a celebrating our first Anniversary! And this week we have this colour challenge for you:

At first I struggled with this. I was stuck on chocolate brown and yellow and couldn't think of any ideas for this. I decided to not think about this challenge for a bit and then, you guessed it, an idea popped into my head! Kraft is brown! I can usually think of an idea using Kraft and here is what I came up with:

This coffee cup is a Fresh Squeezed Stamp and I did a bit of paper piecing with some yellow DSP scrap card I found. I cut a slit in the lid and added a tooth pick to be my stirrer. I thought I should point out it is a stirrer as hubby wanted to know why someone would use a straw to drink a Latte!! And there was me thinking it was obvious!!

Our DT have some great takes on this colour scheme so please pop to our blog here before you join in the fun!

I will also enter this into:
Keep It Simple-Anything goes

It takes 2 to Tango!

Happy New Year to all my blogging friends!

The first few days of this year started with a very slow creative mojo. Perhaps too much Holiday Cheer! And then this morning I saw the CAS-ual Friday 'In a word' challenge and my mojo sobered up! This challenge is to create a card that around a word that sums up what you hope for in 2014. I immediately thought of the New Year's resolution that my husband and I made together. We are going to take up learning to dance. I really want to learn how to Jive but am game to try any kind of dance. And here is my card to represent this:

I challenged myself to make this one layer as I wanted to enter this new look One Layer Simplicity Challenge. The challenge this week is to re-stock the shelves. I need cards like this one that I make and  leave blank inside. I can then use them for a variety of occasions. The dancing silhouette is heat embossed and I added the twine, well really, just because I thought it looked like it should be there, after I had played with different ideas!

The dancing stamp is from Stamplorations and I am very excited that today I my application to their DT was successful! They have a cool 'Stamps and Feathers' challenge going on this month.....take a peak here.

I hope that your New Year has started well and I wish you all health and happiness in 2014 xx